Service management systems and associated methods

ABSTRACT

Service management systems and associated methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a service management system can include a system for delivering various types of services including property management services, residential rental services, social services, low income housing services, and/or the like. One aspect of the disclosure is directed toward a computer implemented service management process (e.g., a property management process) that includes maintaining an inventory of property associated with a rental program, providing information associated with the rental program, processing an application to enter the program from a potential program participant, and administering various program elements of the rental program. In selected embodiments, the method can further include providing products/services and/or providing advertising. In still further embodiments, the method can include terminating the program participant&#39;s participation in the rental program/service management process.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/890,441, filed Feb. 16, 2007, and which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The following disclosure relates generally to service management systemsand associated methods.

BACKGROUND

Homelessness is a significant problem in the United States andthroughout the world. Individuals and families can be forced intohomelessness by many factors. For example, individuals and theirfamilies can be forced into homelessness by various life circumstancesincluding poverty, unemployment, domestic violence, addiction, mentalhealth issues, poor credit, divorce, physical or mental disabilities,poor budgeting skills, foreclosure, and/or various legal issues. In manycases, it is not a lack of housing units that cause homelessness, butthe lack of affordable housing available for rent. In other cases,various circumstances prevent individuals from being able to financiallyqualify to rent available rental units (e.g., due to bad credit).

In the United States, there are various government programs, laws, andregulations aimed at helping the homeless and reducing the homelessrate, including programs at the federal, state, and local levels. Forexample, some of these programs include the Federal Low Income HousingTax Credit Program, Section 8 housing, and programs associated with theMcKinney Act. Additionally, there are many charities and other socialservice agencies that aid the homelessness and reduce the homeless rate.Some of these organizations include churches, various shelters, andhalf-way houses for individuals released from correctional institutions.

Despite these programs, laws, regulations, and organizations,homelessness continues to be a significant problem. For example,according to the Current Status of Homelessness in Arizona and Effortsto Prevent and Alleviate Homelessness, 14th annual report, December2005, prepared by Homeless Coordination Office Community ServicesAdministration Department of Economic Security, it is estimated that, onany given day, there may be as many as 20,000 to 30,000 homeless peoplein the state of Arizona alone. Accordingly, other solutions are neededto address these issues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially schematic illustration of a computing environmentsuitable for implementing a service management process in accordancewith embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram that illustrates a service management processin accordance with selected embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a partially schematic illustration of a Rental Program screenused to allow property owners or potential program participants toaccess information and/or to interact with various features of theservice management process in accordance with embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a partially schematic illustration of a Property Owners screenused to allow property owners to access information and/or to makerental units available for use in the service management process inaccordance with selected embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a partially schematic illustration of a portion of a ProgramProperties screen used to view the status of properties associated withthe service management process in accordance with certain embodiments ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a partially schematic illustration of an Information screenused to provide information about various features of the servicemanagement process in accordance with selected embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 7 is a partially schematic illustration of an Application screenused in processing an application associated with the service managementprocess in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a partially schematic illustration of a Program Administrationscreen used in administering various features of the service managementprocess in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a partially schematic illustration of a notification used toprovide information to parties associated with the service managementprocess in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a partially schematic illustration of a Products and Servicesscreen used to provide products and services to property owners and/orpotential program participants in accordance with selected embodimentsof the disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a partially schematic illustration of a Budget screen used toprovide budgeting information and/or at least one budgeting process toprogram participants in accordance with certain embodiments of thedisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure is directed generally to service managementsystems and associated methods. For example, a service management systemcan include a system for delivering various types of services includingproperty management services, residential rental services, rent to ownservices, social services, low income housing services, and/or the like.One aspect of the disclosure is directed toward a computer implementedservice management process (e.g., a property management process) thatincludes maintaining an inventory of property associated with a rentalprogram, providing information associated with the rental program,processing an application to enter the program from a potential programparticipant, and administering various program elements of the rentalprogram. In selected embodiments, the method can further includeproviding products/services and/or providing advertising. In stillfurther embodiments, the method can include terminating the programparticipant's participation in the rental program/service managementprocess.

For example, in selected embodiments a service management process caninclude a rental program that assists individuals and/or families inobtaining housing, along with other forms of assistance or services. Theprogram can emphasize budgeting, the role that budgeting plays inmanaging an individual's finances, and/or the affect that budgeting hason an individual's daily activities. As part of processing theapplication, the program can utilize intake screening, background checks(e.g., national and/or worldwide background checks), and/or variousidentification tools (e.g., voice and visual recognition tools).Additionally, in certain embodiments the program can provide educationalservices and/or counseling services to help individuals understand thecircumstance (e.g., economic circumstance) they are in and ways toimprove their economic position and/or life.

In selected embodiments, the program can require that participantsdemonstrate accountability, give participants the tools they need tobecome accountable, and assist participants in working toward achievingstability in their lives. For example, in selected embodimentsparticipation in the program can require, within the limits of the law,that a participant agree to meet selected program elements, conditions,and/or requirements. For instance, in certain embodiments a participantmay, within the limits of the law, be required to (1) make weeklyprogram payments, (2) maintain employment, (3) remain drug and/oralcohol free, (4) attend or complete selected training, (5) establishand/or use a budget, (6) relinquish certain rights that the participantmay be entitled to pursuant to a governing landlord tenant act and/orpending civil court proceeding, (7) agree to an immediate dispossessionof a property as one of the consequences of non-compliance with certainprogram elements, and/or (8) agree to various tracking and/or monitoringprocesses.

In certain embodiments, requiring participants to agree to meet (e.g.,perform) selected program elements, conditions, and/or requirements, theparticipant can learn to be accountable, improve his or her lifecircumstance, or both. Additionally, in selected embodiments adherenceto selected program elements can reduce the risk associated with rentingproperty to the participant. Accordingly, in some embodiments landlordsor property owners may be more willing to allow program participants tooccupy their rental properties, for example, even though theparticipants would not normally qualify to rent the properties (e.g.,for financial/credit reasons, legal issues, and/or the like).

One particular aspect of the disclosure is directed to a servicemanagement system for managing and maintaining an inventory of realproperty associated with a rental program and matching participants ofthe rental program with corresponding properties in the inventory. Thesystem can include one or more data storage components configured tostore an inventory of real property associated with the rental program.The system can also include one or more data processing componentscoupled to the one or more data storage components. The one or more dataprocessing components are configured to (a) process requests fromapplicants for information regarding the rental program, (b) manage andmaintain the inventory of property associated with the rental program,(c) process an application of an applicant to become a programparticipant, and (d) match a program participant with one or moreproperties in the inventory based, at least in part, on the programparticipant's demographic information and the program participant'sdesired geographic location.

Another particular aspect of the disclosure is directed to acomputer-implemented method for managing a rental program. The methodcan include storing and managing an inventory of real propertyassociated with the rental program. The method also includes receiving arequest from an applicant to become a participant in the rental programand, in response to receiving the request, processing an application ofthe applicant to become a participant in the rental program. Uponapproval of the application, the method further includes matching theprogram participant with one or more properties in the inventory based,at least in part, on the program participant's demographic informationand the program participant's desired geographic location.

Yet another particular aspect of the disclosure is directed to one ormore computer-readable media collectively storing computer-executableinstructions that, when executed, perform a method for managing a rentalprogram for low income individuals and families. The method includesmanaging an inventory of individual housing units associated with therental program. The method also includes processing an application of anapplicant to become a participant in the rental program and, uponapproval of the application, matching the program participant with ahousing unit in the inventory. The program participant is matched withthe housing unit based, at least in part, on selected demographicinformation of the individual program participant, a desired geographicarea in which the program participant would like to live, and a desireddisbursement of multiple program participants in a selected geographicarea.

Still another particular aspect of the disclosure is directed to asystem for providing housing services to families and individuals. Thesystem can include means for storing and managing an inventory ofindividual housing units available for use with the rental program. Thesystem can also include means for receiving a request from an applicantto become a participant in the rental program and means for processingan application of the applicant to become a rental program participant.The system can further include means for linking individual programparticipants with a housing unit in the inventory based, at least inpart, on a desired distribution of multiple program participants in aselected geographic area, demographic criteria associated with theindividual program participant, and a desired geographic area in whichthe individual program participant would like to live.

Many specific details of certain embodiments of the disclosure are setforth in the following description and in FIGS. 1-11 to provide athorough understanding of these embodiments. Well-known structures,systems, and methods often associated with such systems have not beenshown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thedescription of the various embodiments of the disclosure. In addition,those of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand thatadditional embodiments may be practiced without several of the detailsdescribed below.

The terminology used in the description presented below is intended tobe interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it isbeing used in conjunction with a detailed description of certainspecific embodiments of the disclosure. Certain terms may even beemphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted inany restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as suchin this Detailed Description section.

In describing the various embodiments, a computing environment suitablefor implementing processes related to services (e.g., social services,credit reporting services, lending and payment services, propertymanagement services, rental program services including tenant managementservices, etc.) and/or configured as a service management system inaccordance with selected embodiments will be discussed. Then variousaspects of a service management method in accordance with certainembodiments of the disclosure will be described. Finally, selected usesfor and variations of methods and systems in accordance with selectedembodiments will be examined.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates a computing environmentsuitable for implementing a process related to a service in accordancewith embodiments of the disclosure. The computing environment 100 caninclude a computing or computer system 102 that can be operablyconnected or coupled to a display 104 and one or more input devices, forexample, a keyboard 106 a and a pointing device 106 b (e.g., a mouse).Additionally, the computer system 102 can communicate with one or moredata storage devices (e.g., a hard drive 108 with one or more databases)and one or more devices 110 for reading other types of computer readablemediums (e.g., devices for reading disks 111). The computing system 102can also communicate directly with other devices 109, for example, aphone and/or fax system, or with other devices or systems via a network112 (e.g., via the Internet). For example, in the illustrated embodimentthe computer system 102 can communicate with other computer systems 114a-d and/or other databases 116 a-d via the network 112. Additionally, inselected embodiments the computing system can communicate with wirelessdevices 120 (e.g., a wireless computing device such as a personal dataassistant and/or cellular phone) via a wireless transmitter/receiver(e.g., a service provider connected to the internet). In otherembodiments, the computing environment can have other arrangements,including more, fewer, and/or different components.

For example, the computing device or environment on which the system isimplemented may include a central processing unit, memory, input devices(e.g., keyboard, pointing devices, cameras for visual recognition tools,microphones for voice recognition tools, and/or the like), outputdevices (e.g., display devices), and storage devices (e.g., diskdrives). The memory and storage devices are computer-readable media thatmay contain instructions that implement the system. In addition, thedata structures and message structures may be stored or transmitted viaa data transmission medium, such as a signal on a communication link.Various communication links may be used, such as the Internet, a localarea network, a wide area network, a point-to-point dial-up connection,a cell phone network, and so on.

Embodiments of the system may be implemented in various operatingenvironments that include personal computers, server computers,hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems,microprocessor-based systems, programmable consumer electronics, digitalcameras, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributedcomputing environments or systems that include any of the above systemsor devices, and so on. The computer systems may include cell phones,personal digital assistants, smart phones, personal computers,programmable consumer electronics, digital cameras, computer kiosks, andso on.

The system may be described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed byone or more computers or other devices. Generally, program modulesinclude routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and soon that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. Typically, the functionality of the program modules may becombined or distributed as desired in various embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a service management process 200in accordance with selected embodiments. For example, in certainembodiments the process 200 can include managing and maintaining aninventory of property associated with a rental program (process portion202), providing information associated with the rental program (processportion 204), processing an application to enter the program from apotential program participant (process portion 206), and administeringvarious program elements of the rental program (process portion 208). Inselected embodiments, the method can further include providingproducts/services (process portion 210) and/or providing advertising(process portion 212). In still further embodiments, the method caninclude terminating at least a portion of the participant'sparticipation in the rental program/service management process (processportion 214). In certain embodiments, some or all of the elementsassociated with the service management process 200 can be computerimplemented. For example, in certain embodiments a computing system canbe configured to provide various elements associated with the servicemanagement process 200 via various screens or displays (e.g., over anetwork). In selected embodiments, these screens can be accessed viavarious computing device elements, for example, via a home computer,portable computing device, computer kiosk associated with the rentalprogram, and/or the like.

FIG. 3 is a partially schematic illustration of a Rental Program screen300 used to allow property owners or their designated representatives(e.g., a leasing agent), potential program participants or theirdesignated representatives, and other parties to access informationassociated with, or provided by, the service management process and/orto interact with various features of the service management process inaccordance with embodiments of the disclosure. In the illustratedembodiment, the screen 300 can provide general program information 310associated with the service management process, including informationassociated with a rental program. This information can be provided inthe form of text displayed on the screen and/or via one or more links(e.g., interactive computer links, hyperlinks, and/or the like) toadditional pages that contain various pieces of information.

In selected embodiments, the Rental Program screen 300 in FIG. 3 caninclude one or more advertisements 390 (e.g., as part of process portion212 discussed above with reference to FIG. 2). For example, in certainembodiments the advertisement 390 can include advertisements forproducts or services associated with the service management process 200and/or the rental program (e.g., an advertisement for an online storediscussed below in further detail and/or for rental property availablevia the rental program, such as units in an apartment complex). In otherembodiments, the advertisement 390 can include information regardingproducts or services that might be of interest to individuals accessingthe screen (e.g., an advertisement for a local church, a charity, asocial service, and/or the like). In still other embodiments, theadvertisement 390 can include information associated with providing aproperty for use in the rental program and/or soliciting property ownersor their designated representatives to make property available for usein the rental program. In yet further embodiments, the advertisement 390can include advertising for other entities (e.g., entities that purchaseadvertising space from a representative of the rental program and/orentities that support a portion of the service management process viadonations).

In selected embodiments, the screen 300 can also provide links to otherscreens associated with various elements of the service managementprocess discussed above with reference to FIG. 2. For example, in FIG. 3the screen 300 includes a link to pages associated with property ownersand associated information 320, program information 330, applications340, program administration 350, and/or products and services processportion 360. Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment a user canmanage and access information associated with various portions of theservice management process using screens associated with these links.

Maintaining an inventory of properties associated with the servicemanagement process (e.g., the rental program) can include obtainingproperties to populate the inventory, enrolling the individualproperties into the inventory, and tracking the properties contained inthe inventory. For example, in selected embodiments various propertyowners can make their property available for use in the rental program.The service management process can then be used to enroll and track thestatus of the properties made available by the property owners. In otherembodiments, at least some of the properties can be owned by the partyor entity that manages or runs the rental program.

FIG. 4 is a partially schematic illustration of a Property Owner screen400 used to allow property owners (or their designated representatives)to access information and/or to make rental units available for use inthe service management process in accordance with selected embodimentsof the disclosure. For example, the screen 400 can include informationalmaterials 410 in the form of text and/or interactive link(s).Additionally, the screen 400 can allow information about a property tobe entered into inventory (e.g., entered into a database). For example,the name of the property (e.g., apartment complex and unit number) canbe entered in the Property to List field 420, the address of theproperty can be entered in the Address Field 430, and the rent amount(e.g., the amount of rent required per week or per month) can be enteredin the Rent Amount field 460, thereby associating the database entrywith the property. In selected embodiments, the Property Owners screen400 can allow a property owner or designated representative to makechanges to the data associated with a property already contained in thedatabase.

Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment a Property Requirements andInformation field 440 can allow requirements and information associatedwith the property to be entered. For example, information can includethe number of bedrooms included in the apartment, the number ofbathrooms included in the apartment, the availability of parking,whether an apartment complex has a pool, and/or the like. Requirementscan include restrictions, conditions, and/or other requirements that useof the property in the rental program is predicated on. For example, arental unit might prohibit pets or require that payments be made weekly(if permitted by the applicable law). An availability field 470 can alsoallow availability information to be entered or associated with theproperty. For example, a rental unit might only be available after aselected date or for a selected period of time.

In certain embodiments lease, agreement, and/or contract terms can beviewed via an Agreement Information link 450. For example, in selectedembodiments the property owners (or their designated representatives)can view lease terms associated with renting or leasing a propertythrough the rental program. In certain embodiments, the AgreementInformation link 450 can allow a property owners (or their designatedrepresentatives) to enter into a lease agreement or contract with anentity associated with the rental program (e.g., a rental programadministrator), for example, via electronic signature or other forms ofverification. In other embodiments, the Agreement Information link 450can allow the property owners (or their designated representatives) toindicate that selected lease terms would be acceptable for placement ofa potential program participant into the property and a lease oragreement can be executed at the time the program participant is placedinto the property (e.g., the lease or agreement can be executed inelectronic or paper form).

In still other embodiments, the Agreement Information link can allowproperty owners or their designated representatives to access aneditable lease or agreement and allows the property owners or theirdesignated representatives to make changes to the lease or agreement. Arental program operator or administrator can then approve or revise thechanges. In other embodiments, the Agreement Information link 450 canprovide a field that allows a user (e.g., a property owner or designatedrepresentative) to enter an electronic document that contains a lease oragreement into the system for storage and/or approval, revision, orcomment by an administrator or operator of the rental program.

In the illustrated embodiment, the Property Owners screen 400 alsoincludes an Electronic Signature/Verification field 480 that allowsverification of one or more portions of data entered into the servicemanagement process and/or access to selected information. For example,in selected embodiments a property owner or the property ownersdesignated representative can enter a password to verify access toassociated information, to authenticate an identity, and/or forelectronic signature purposes (e.g., to indicate agreement to selectedterms or conditions). In other embodiments, the ElectronicSignature/Verification field 480 can provide a verification process thatallows a property owner/designated representative to enter informationwhich can be used for identity verification (e.g., a credit card number,a PayPal® account, selected personal information, and/or the like). Instill other embodiments, a property owner/designated representativegives information to a rental program representative (e.g., in personand/or via mail) for entry into the service management process and/orenters data into a computer kiosk (e.g., located at a rental programoffice) after having their identity verified and/or signing anappropriate consent forms.

In certain embodiments, the Property Owners screen 400 can also includeone or more advertisements 490, similar to the advertisement discussedabove with reference to FIG. 3. For example, in selected embodiments theadvertisement can include information and/or a solicitation for propertyowners to make properties available for use in the rental program. Inother embodiments, other forms of advertising (e.g., televisionadvertisements, cold calls, and/or newspaper advertisements) can be usedto solicit property owners to make properties available for use in therental program.

In selected embodiments, once a property owner makes a propertyavailable via the Property Owner screen 400, the property managementprocess/system can approve or disapprove the property for use in theprogram based in selected criteria. In certain embodiments this approvalprocess can be completely automated and/or require input from arepresentative of the property management system/rental program. Forexample, in selected embodiments the property must pass a physicalinspection before being approved for use in the rental program. Incertain embodiments, the property management process/system can providenotification to the property owner (or the owner's representative) onceuse of the property is approved or disapproved (e.g., automatically oncea determination is made).

As discussed above, maintaining an inventory of property associated witha rental program can also include tracking the properties contained inthe inventory or database (e.g., a searchable database). For example, asshown in FIG. 5, a service management system can display a ProgramProperties database screen 500 that can be used (e.g., by arepresentative of the entity administering the rental program) to trackinformation associated with the properties contained in the inventory.In FIG. 5, the Program Properties screen 500 includes a Property field502 listing property identifiers for various pieces of property (e.g.,rental units) contained in the database. The screen 500 can also includea Landlord field 504 that includes the property owner and/or thedesignated representative (e.g., a property manager at an apartmentcomplex) associated with each piece of property. For example, propertiescontained in the database can include privately held properties and/orpublicly owned, funded, or administered properties, and the Landlordfield 504 can include the designated representative for each piece ofproperty.

The Program Properties screen 500 can also include an Address field 506listing the address of each piece of property, a Restrictions field 508listing restrictions (other information) associated with each piece ofproperty, and a Agreement Information field 510 listing informationconcerning various lease/agreement requirements and/or a link to alease/agreement associated with one or more pieces of property. Inselected embodiments, the Program Properties screen 500 can also includea Rent Amount field 512 listing the amount of rent associated with eachpiece of property (e.g., the amount of rent per month or the amount ofrent per week). In certain embodiments, the Program Properties screen500 can also include a Tenant field 514 listing whether the property isoccupied or not, the name of the tenant(s) occupying the property,and/or whether the tenant(s) are associated with the rental program.

In still other embodiments, the Program Properties screen 500 caninclude an Availability field 516 listing the availability of each pieceof property. For example, the Availability field 516 can include thetime periods during which the property is available for use in therental program. Information associated with each piece of property canbe updated over time to reflect the current status of the property(e.g., whether the property is occupied, when the property is projectedto be available, and/or the like). In yet other embodiments, the ProgramProperties screen 500 can include other information. For example, incertain embodiments the Program Properties screen 500 it can includewhether a security deposit has been collected, which entity holds thesecurity deposit (e.g., an entity associated with the property owner orwith the service management process/program), or the like. In someembodiments, selected property characteristics can be tracked (e.g., thecondition of the properties, the responsiveness of the property owner tomake repairs, etc.), and a property can be removed from the rentalprogram if it becomes problematic or does not meet selected standards.In selected embodiments, information from the database represented bythe Program Properties screen 500 can be used, presented, and/ordisplayed in other portions of the service management process, forexample, for providing a list of properties available for rental topotential program participants, for reporting purposes, and/or the like.

FIG. 6 is a partially schematic illustration of an Information screen600 used to provide information about various features of the servicemanagement process in accordance with selected embodiments of thedisclosure. For example, in the illustrated embodiment the Informationscreen 600 can include general information 610 in the form of textand/or in the form of one or more interactive links to additionaldisplay page(s) containing information about the service managementprocess and/or they rental program. In selected embodiments, a potentialprogram participant can enter information associated with the programparticipant (e.g., about the potential program participant'scircumstance) into the Enter User Information field(s) 620. For example,information associated with the program participant can include theparticipant's employment status, employer, legal issues, debtinformation, credit related information, substance abuse problems,and/or the like. This information can allow the service managementsystem/process to direct the potential program participant toinformation that is especially relevant to their circumstance. In someembodiments, the information entered by the potential programparticipant can include an address where informational materials can bemailed.

The Information screen 600 can also include links to various pagescontaining more specific information about the service managementprocess, the rental program, and/or other services or alternatives. Forexample, in the illustrated embodiment the Information screen 600includes a Frequently Asked Questions link 630 which will direct theuser of the Information screen 600 to page(s) that contain answers tofrequently asked questions. In selected embodiments, the Informationscreen 600 can include a link to services and alternatives 640 that willdirect the user of the Information screen 600 to page(s) containinginformation about services and/or alternatives (e.g., that may berelevant to a potential program participant's circumstance). In certainembodiments, the Services and Alternatives link 640 can include servicesand/or alternatives that are associated with the service managementprocess, that are not associated with the service management process, orboth. In selected embodiments, other services can include employmentservices, childcare services, medical services, transportationassistance/information, training programs, affordable healthcare,affordable insurance, educational services, counseling, churches,charities, support groups, rehabilitation services, and/or the like.

In still other embodiments, the Information screen 600 can include aProgram Requirements link 650 that will provide the user of theInformation screen 602 with page(s) associated with requirements that aprogram participant must meet and/or commit to in order to participatein the rental program. In certain embodiments, the user informationentered by the potential program participant can be used to provideprogram requirement information to the potential program participantthat is specific to the potential program participant's circumstance. Inother embodiments, the program requirements can be general in nature andrelevant to all potential program participants. The information screen600 can also include one or more advertisements 690, similar to theadvertisement discussed above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 7 is a partially schematic illustration of an Application screen700 used to process an application associated with the servicemanagement process in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. Forexample, in selected embodiments processing an application can includeprocessing an application for admission of a potential programparticipant into at least a portion of the service management processand/or processing an application to rent a property via the servicemanagement process (e.g., via a rental program). In FIG. 7, theApplication screen 700 includes general information 710 in the form oftext and/or a link to information relevant to the application process.Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment the Application screen 700includes an Enter User Information Field 730 and/or an Enter User IDfield 720.

In selected embodiments, a potential program participant will havesigned selected papers indicating the consent and authorizationnecessary to use the service management process and/or enter the rentalprogram before accessing the Application screen 700. Upon signing theselected papers, the potential program participant will have been givenan ID. Accordingly, the potential program participant can enter the IDin to the Enter User ID field 720 and then can enter additionalinformation relevant to the potential program participant into the enterUser Information field 730. In certain embodiments, in order to accessand/or enter information on the Application Screen, a potential programparticipant must enter an ID in the Enter User ID field 720 and anElectronic Signature/Verification field 760, similar to the ElectronicSignature/Verification field discussed above with reference to FIG. 4(e.g., to provide additional security and/or privacy).

In other embodiments, a potential program participant can enterinformation into the Enter User Information field 730 and the potentialprogram participant will be assigned an ID (e.g., an ID will appear inthe Enter User ID field 720), which can be used when the potentialprogram participant subsequently accesses the Application screen 700and/or other portions of the service management system/process. In stillother embodiments, if a potential program participant has enteredselected information into another screen associated with the servicemanagement process (e.g., the Information screen), at least a portion ofthe selected information can be automatically transferred to the UserInformation field 730 when the potential program participant selects theApplication screen 700.

In the illustrated embodiment, the Application screen 700 includesvarious links associated with additional screens that the potentialprogram participant can be required to access and complete (e.g., enterinformation) and/or that provide feedback or other information. Forexample, in FIG. 7 the Application screen 700 includes a ProgramRequirements/Agreement link 740 that provides access to a list ofspecific requirements and conditions that a potential programparticipant must agree to/adhere to in order to participate and/ormaintain participation in the rental program. For example, requirementsfor program participation may include a potential program participant topay rent weekly (e.g., via an electronic deposit or direct deposit orcredit enhancing savings and or payment systems); to pay a programparticipation fee and/or processing fee; to maintain employment; toreport loss of employment within a specified time (e.g., within 18hours); to authorize a parole officer to forward reports to anadministrator of the rental program; to agree to a representative of therental program forwarding information concerning the potential programparticipant's compliance with rental program requirements to a thirdparty (e.g., an associated landlord or parole officer); to authorize abackground check; to authorize a credit check; to agree to refrain fromusing drugs, alcohol, abusive language, or violence; to agree to drugtesting; to agree to keep weapons, pornography, drugs, and/or alcoholoff a property rented via the rental program; to agree to selectedproperty inspection criteria (within the limits of applicable law); toagree to refrain from buying or selling items while on the property; toagree to not loan money or incur additional debt without approval from aselected entity associated with the service management process/programand/or while on the property rented via the rental program; to agree toparticipate in/complete one or more selected educational programs; toagree to participate in/complete counseling; to agree to participatein/complete a budgeting program or process; to agree to budget to repaydebts and expenses beyond the rent for property rented via the rentalprogram (e.g., as budgeted for in the budgeting process); to agree tofollow a budget produced by the budgeting process; and/or the like.Additionally, requirements for program participation may also include apotential program participant to agree to immediately vacate theproperty for non-adherence to the rental program requirements and/or toagree to forfeit selected rights provided by an applicableLandlord-Tenant Act or other law (e.g., within the limits of applicablelaws). For example, in selected embodiments the requirements for programparticipation may require the program participant to agree to beingimmediately locked out of the property for the violation of selectedprogram criteria and to agree to collect the participant's property byappointment subsequent to the lock out (within the limits of applicablelaws).

For example, in Arizona, certain social service providers that provideassistance in obtaining housing incidental to offering to provideassistance or service in obtaining employment, childcare, healthcare,education, skills training, transportation, counseling, or other relatedservices may be exempt from the Arizona Residential Landlord Tenant Act.Accordingly, in selected embodiments a service management process thatprovides a rental program that includes assistance in obtaining housingand offers at least one of the above mentioned additional services maybe able to immediately evict a program participant from an associatedrental property based on noncompliance with selected program elements orrequirements. As discussed above, in certain embodiments the ProgramRequirements/Agreement link 740 can provide information concerningvarious rental program requirements or elements.

In selected embodiments the Program Requirements/Agreement link 740 canalso provide the terms of a lease or agreement associated with one ormore selected rental properties. Additionally, in certain embodimentsthe Program Requirements/Agreement link 740 can provide access to one ormore agreement documents or contracts allowing a potential programparticipant to accept or agree to the associated programrequirements/elements and/or terms of a lease agreement associated witha selected property. In selected embodiments, ElectronicSignature/Verification field 760 can allow a potential programparticipant to provide an electronic signature or verification regardingan agreement or contract, in a manner similar to that discussed abovewith reference to FIG. 4.

In still other embodiments, the Application screen 700 can include oneor more Other Information links 780, allowing a potential programparticipant to view other information regarding various aspects of theservice management process and/or rental program. In selectedembodiments, the Other Information links 780 can allow a potentialprogram participant to electronically contact a representative for therental program to ask selected questions about the rental program (e.g.,via a chat room, email, and/or the like). In still other embodiments,the other Information link 780 can include a link to frequently askedquestions and/or links to other organizations that might provideassistance, education, information, and/or the like to the individual(e.g., other organizations that are not directly tied to the servicemanagement process/program).

In certain embodiments, an application approval process can includeevaluating information or data associated with a potential programparticipant. For example, once a potential program participant hasentered the required information via the Application screen 700, arepresentative of the rental program can evaluate the entered data,gather/evaluate additional information, and/or approve the application.For example, in selected embodiments gathering additional informationcan include, by way of example, performing a credit check on thepotential program participant, performing a background check on thepotential program participant, and/or request additional informationfrom the potential program participant. In certain embodiments,additional information can be requested from the potential programparticipant via an e-mail, a phone call, or the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, the Application screen 700 includes aStatus of Application link 770 where a potential program participant cancheck to see if his/her application has been approved, disapproved, isbeing processed, and/or the like (e.g., after subsequently accessing theApplication screen 700 and entering an ID or an ID and a password). Inselected embodiments, Status of Application link 770 can also be used togather additional information from the potential program participant.For example, in certain embodiments a request for additional informationfrom the potential program participant can be posted under the Status ofApplication link 770. The potential program participant can view theinformation request (e.g., when checking the status of his or herapplication) and respond via an associated link.

In still other embodiments, a computing system similar to the onediscussed above with reference to FIG. 1, can automatically performselected portions of the approval process (e.g., by automaticallyrunning credit and/or background check(s), automatically assess/charge afee for running the credit and/or background check(s), automaticallyrequest additional information from the potential program participant,etc.). In still other embodiments, the approval process can becompletely automated. For example, the computing system can gatheradditional information, score the information entered and gatheredinformation, check for appropriate consent or agreements (e.g., anagreement to comply with rental program requirements), and issue anotification that the application has been approved, declined, and/orrequires additional processing (e.g., an in person interview with arental program representative).

In selected embodiments, processing an application can include providinginformation associated with various properties (e.g., rental units). Forexample, in the illustrated embodiment the Application screen 700includes an Available Properties link 750 which can allow an applicant(e.g., a potential program participant or program participant) to viewinformation associated with various properties that are available viathe rental program. In certain embodiments, the applicant can thenphysically view selected properties to decide which property theapplicant wishes to rent. The applicant can then use the AvailableProperties link 750 to select a property and/or apply to rent a selectedproperty.

In selected embodiments, the rental properties link 750 is onlyavailable after selected information has been entered by the applicanton the Application screen 700 and only property suitable for theapplicant are displayed via the Available Properties link 750 Forexample, in certain embodiments only properties that meet the applicantsneeds (e.g., number of bedrooms, etc.), only properties for which theapplicant can qualify for based on the selected information, and/or onlyproperties that the applicant has been pre-approved for based on theselected information are displayed. In other embodiments, wheredifferent rental properties have different rental program requirementsand/or different lease terms, a applicant may be required to agree toadditional rental program requirements and/or lease terms once certainproperties are selected. In selected embodiments, these additionalagreements can be made via a process similar to that discussed above(e.g., using the Electronic Signature/Verification field 760). In otherembodiments, an applicant can be required to select a property from theAvailable Properties link 750 prior to accessing the ProgramRequirements/Agreement link 740 and the applicant's applications toenter the rental program and to rent a selected property can be made andprocessed concurrently.

In other embodiments, the service management process can sendnotification to the property owner or the owner's representative (e.g.,an apartment manager) that the potential program participant qualifiesto rent a selected property, prompt the property owner or representativeto concur to the lease agreement if applicable (e.g., via electronicsignature), and/or collect a security deposit from the programparticipant. In selected embodiments, some or all of these elements canbe automated by a service management system (e.g., a computing system).In some embodiments, the Program Properties screen (discussed above withreference to FIG. 5) can automatically be updated once all of theleases/agreements have been executed to appropriately show the status ofthe selected property.

In certain embodiments, an entity associated with the service managementprocess/program enters into a lease or agreement with a property owneror the property owner's representatives for a selected rental property(e.g., to rent the selected property). A program participant or theprogram participant's representative enters into a lease or agreement torent the selected property from the entity associated with the servicemanagement process/program (e.g., subleasing the selected property fromthe entity). In other embodiments, the program participant enters intoan agreement with the property owner to lease the selected property fromthe property owner (e.g., when required to qualify the property/leasefor a tax exemption or a tax credit). In still other embodiments, therecan be other arrangements.

For example, in selected embodiments the lease or agreement can involvethe property owner (or their representative), the program participant,and an entity representing the service management process/program. Forinstance, the entity representing the service management process/programcan act as a co-signer for the program participant in executing a leaseor agreement between the property owner and the program participant, andthe entity can execute a separate agreement regarding programparticipation requirements with the program participant. In yet otherembodiments, the lease or agreement can include program participationrequirements and can be signed by the property owner, the entity, andthe program participant. In still other embodiments, other entities canbe included in various agreements associated with the propertymanagement program (e.g., a financial institution/entity associated witha selected property or a program participant). In yet other embodiments,an automated portion of the service management process can be used totrack agreements (e.g., lease agreements or lease to own agreements),but the actual agreements can be executed on paper instead of viaelectronic signature.

Although some of the embodiments described above have been discussedwith reference to a single applicant, in other embodiments multipleapplicants (e.g., husband and wife) can access the Application screenand/or participate in the application process jointly. In still otherembodiments, an applicant's representative can access and/or interactwith various portions the Application screen on behalf of the applicant.In still other embodiments, an operator or representative of the rentalprogram can access and/or interact with the Application screen 700 onbehalf of an applicant, for example, when the applicant visits an officeassociated with the service management process and/or the rentalprogram. In yet other embodiments, as discussed above, an applicant cansign papers associated with entry into the rental program and thenaccess the Application screen 700 via computer kiosk, home computer,portable computing device, and/or the like. In the illustratedembodiment, the Application screen 700 also includes one or moreadvertisements 790 similar to those discussed above with reference toFIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 8 is a partially schematic illustration of a Program Administrationscreen 800 used in administering various features of the servicemanagement process in accordance with certain embodiments of thedisclosure. In selected embodiments, the Program Administration screen800 can be accessed by a representative of the rental program or servicemanagement process, a program participant or designated representative,a property owner or designated representative, and/or other entitiesassociated with the service management process, rental property, orprogram participants. In certain embodiments, the Program Administrationscreen 800 can include General Information 810 in the form of textand/or interactive link(s) to other screens containing informationassociated with a service management process and/or the administrationof the rental program. Additionally, in selected embodiments the ProgramAdministration screen 800 can include one more advertisements 890similar to those discussed above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

In the illustrated embodiment, the user of the Program Administrationscreen 800 can enter a user ID in the User ID field 820. In selectedembodiments, access to certain portions of the Administration screen 800may be limited based on the user ID entered. For example, a propertyowner may not have access to the same information that is assessable bya program participant and/or a representative of the rental program. Incertain embodiments, a user of the Program Administration screen 800 maybe required to enter an authentication code or some other form ofauthentication or verification via an Authentication link 840 beforebeing able to access selected portions of the Program Administrationscreen 800.

In certain embodiments, where information about a specific programparticipant is to be provided by the Program Administration screen 800,a Participant ID may be entered in the Participant ID field 830.Accordingly, selected information regarding the program participant canbe provided to various users of the Program Administration screen 800.For example, in certain embodiments a Participant Tracking link 860 canprovide access to various other screen(s) that contain information aboutthe selected program participant and/or the selected programparticipant's adherence to various program requirements. For example, incertain embodiments the results of various drug tests, the paroleofficer reports, employment verification, background check information,and the like can be accessed via the participant tracking link 860.

In some embodiments, the Program Administration screen 800 can include aProperty Tracking link 870 that provides access to information regardinga selected piece of property. For example, in certain embodimentsinformation regarding the property occupied by a selected programparticipant who's ID has been entered into the Participant ID field 830can be provided by the Property Tracking link 870. In other embodiments,the Property Tracking link 870 can provide access to a selected numberof properties contained in the property inventory or database discussedabove with reference to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5.

In still other embodiments, the Program Administration screen 800 caninclude a Participant Input field 850 that provides a programparticipant the ability to provide selected inputs associated with therental program. For example, in certain embodiments the ParticipantInput field 850 can allow a program participant to authorize anelectronic transfer of funds from a selected bank account to coverweekly or monthly rent. In other embodiments, weekly or monthly rent canbe made by other methods (e.g., direct deposit, electronic transfer offunds, credit enhancing saving or payment systems, and/or the like). Incertain embodiments, the Program Administration screen 800 can include aPayment Link 855 that provides a link to screens associated withinformation regarding the payment history of a selected programparticipant and/or a selected rental property. In still otherembodiments, the Program Administration screen 800 can include aMessages link 880 that provides a link to messages, information, and/ornotifications associated with the user ID entered in the User ID field820.

For example, FIG. 9 is a partially schematic illustration of anotification 900 used to provide information to parties (e.g., people,entities, credit agencies, credit bureaus, and/or the like) associatedwith the service management process in accordance with certainembodiments of the disclosure. In selected embodiments, the notificationin FIG. 9 can be a computer generated screen, for example, accessiblefrom the Program Administration screen discussed above with reference toFIG. 8 and/or from the Rental Program screen discussed above withreference to FIG. 3. In other embodiments, the notification in FIG. 9could include a paper message (e.g., a mailed or hand delivered notice),an email message, and/or the like.

In certain embodiments, the notification 900 can include various fields,including a Recipient field 902, a Property field 904, a Participantfield 906, and an Action/Info field 908. Additionally, in selectedembodiments the notification 900 can include one or more advertisements990, similar to those discussed above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.For example, in certain embodiments the Recipient Field 902 can includethe identity of one or more intended recipients of the message ornotification, including individuals or entities that are merelyreceiving an informational copy of the message. The Property field 904can identify one or more associated properties associated with thenotification. The Participant field 906 can include the identity of oneor more participants associated with the message and the Action/Infofiled 908 can include information or action associated with the message.For example, in selected embodiments the Action/Info field can provideinteractive links to additional information that allow a recipient torespond to the message, and/or that allows a recipient to take anappropriate action (e.g., authorize an action such as a transfer offunds).

In various embodiments, the notification 900 can be used to communicateapprovals, for example in selected embodiments the Participant field 906can include Potential Program Participants and the notification 900 canbe used to let a potential program participant know that he or she hasbeen accepted into the rental program, to request additional informationfrom a potential program participant during the application/applicationapproval process. In other embodiments, the notification 900 can be usedto notify a property owner that a selected property has been enteredinto inventory. In still other embodiments, the notification 900 can beused to report information (e.g., to a landlord), request information,notify a program participant of an alleged non-compliance with programrequirements, notify a program participant that he or she is beingevicted from a rental property (e.g., part of process portion 214discussed above with reference to FIG. 2) and/or to notify a participantthat their participation in the rental program or another portion of theservice management process is being terminated (e.g., part of processportion 214 discussed above with reference to FIG. 2). In selectedembodiments, as discussed below in further detail, the notification 900can include exchanging information (e.g., reporting a programparticipant's program participation/compliance) with a court or aprogram participant's creditor.

In certain embodiments the notifications 900 can be automaticallygenerated by a computing system and/or generated by an entity associatedwith the rental program, including a representative of the rentalprogram, a property owner (or the owner's representative), and/or aprogram participant (or the participant's representative). For example,in selected embodiments a computing system can send an automatednotification reminding a program participant that rent is due, rent ispast due, the participant is behind on completing selected educationrequirements or counseling, the participant is behind in completing anonline budget or making budget entries/updates, and/or the like. Instill other embodiments, an email can be sent to an entity associatedwith the rental program notifying the entity that there is anotification 900 to be viewed at a secure website and the notificationcan be posted in a secure website where it is accessible only afterproper identification/authentication.

In yet other embodiments, the Participant Input field discussed abovewith reference to FIG. 8 can provide a link that allows a programparticipant or property owner to complete a notification and send it toappropriate entities. For example, in selected embodiments thenotification 900 can be used by a program participant to notify theservice management system/process that the program participant will beexiting the rental program or some other portion of the servicemanagement process on a selected date (e.g., part of process portion 214discussed above with reference to FIG. 2). In selected embodiments, theservice management system can automatically perform selected actionsonce a notice to exit a portion of the service management process isreceived (e.g., notifying a property owner that an associated propertywill be vacated, scheduling an exit inspection of the property,scheduling an exit interview with the program participant, setting upadditional services for the program participant, and/or the like). Incertain embodiments, a program participant can exit a portion of theservice management process/program and remain in other portions. Forexample, in selected embodiments a program participant can exit therental program, while remaining in the budgeting process and/or whileusing the service management process/program to repay debts. In otherembodiments, a program participant may exit a required education program(e.g., after completion of the program) while remaining in the rentalprogram.

FIG. 10 is a partially schematic illustration of a Products and Servicesscreen 1000 used to provide products and services to property ownersand/or potential program participants in accordance with selectedembodiments of the disclosure (e.g., as part of process portion 210discussed above with reference to FIG. 2). In the illustratedembodiment, the Product and Services screen 1000 includes a User IDfield 1002, an Authentication/Electronic Signature field 1004, and aProperty ID field 1006. For example, in selected embodiments the User IDfield 1002 can allow an entity associated with the rental program toenter a user identification and authenticate that identification usingthe Authentication/Electronic Signature field 1004. If use of a productand/or service from the Products and Services screen 1000 is predicatedon a specific property, the Property ID field 1006 can be used toidentify the corresponding property. If the use of products and/orservices from the Products and Services screen 1000 is predicated onother information/requirements, the Products and Services screen 1000and include other fields for entering the associated data. Additionally,in certain embodiments the Products and Services screen 1000 can includeone or more advertisements 1090, similar to those discussed above withreference to FIGS. 3 and 4. For example, in some embodiments one moreadvertisements 1090 can include an advertisement associated with anentity that has provided access to products or services for use in theservice management process.

In selected embodiments, once a user has been identified, the user canaccess various products and/or services from the Products portion 1008and/or the Services portion 1010 of the Products and Services screen1000. For example, in certain embodiments the Products portion 1008 caninclude a list of various products which the user can obtain, links thatallow the user to order the products, and/or links to other screens(e.g., various online stores) which list various products which the usercan obtain, and/or the like. In selected embodiments the productsportion of the 1008 can include links to various charities that provideproducts to qualified individuals at no cost and/or reduced prices. Incertain embodiments, the user identification entered into the User IDfield 1002 can be used to determine if the specified user is qualified(e.g., whether a program participant has been qualified based oninformation obtained from the application process) to receive productsfrom a selected charity.

In other embodiments, the Products portion 1008 can include links tovarious charities and/or online stores providing free or discountedproducts for use by property owners to upgrade properties that areavailable via the rental program. For example, in selected embodimentsthe User ID field and/or the Property ID field can be used to determineif a certain property/property owner is eligible to obtain products viathe Products and Services screen. In still other embodiments, theProducts and Services screen can allow a user to purchase or obtainactual products from the service management process/rental program. Forexample, in selected embodiments products can be donated and/or providedat a discount rate to an entity associated with the service managementprocess. These products can then be provided via the service managementprocess to program participants and/or property owners. In someembodiments, purchases of products or services can be made via creditcard or a credit contract with an entity associated with the servicemanagement process/rental program (e.g., via an electronic signatureprocess using an associated link and the Authentication/ElectronicSignature field 1004).

In certain embodiments, the Services portion 1010 can include a list ofvarious services which the user can obtain, links that allow the user toorder the services, links to other screens which list of one or moreservices that a user may be able to obtain, links to selected services(e.g., education programs, counseling programs, and/or a budgetingprocesses), and/or the like. For example, in selected embodiments whererental program requirements include that a program participant enrollin/complete certain education and/or counseling programs, the Servicesportion 1010 can include links to corresponding online programs. Incertain embodiments, the links to corresponding online programs can alsoinclude an online enrollment process associated with one or more of thecorresponding programs. In selected embodiments, some of the servicescan be provided by an entity associated with the services managementprocess and/or can be provided by other entities (e.g., charities,entities that donate services, and/or the like). As discussed above withreference to FIG. 8, in certain embodiments enrollment/participation inand/or completion of selected program can be monitored by the servicemanagement process. Also as discussed above, in selected embodiments useof certain products and/or services can be required for participation inthe service management process (e.g., for either a program participantand/or a property owner).

FIG. 11 is a partially schematic illustration of a Budget screen 1100used to provide budgeting information and/or at least one budgetingprocess to program participants in accordance with certain embodimentsof the disclosure. For example, the Budget screen 1100 can be accessibleto program participants via the services portion of the Products andServices screen discussed above with reference to FIG. 10. Accordingly,in selected embodiments the user will have entered a user identificationinto the User ID field of the Products and Services screen prior toaccessing the Budget screen 1100. Accordingly, the Budget screen 1100can be tailored for the specified user (e.g., program participant). Inother embodiments, the Budget screen 1100 can be a stand-alone screenand/or can have fields for entering a user identification and forauthenticating the user identification.

In FIG. 11 the Budget screen 1100 includes a Budgeting Informationportion 1102 and a Budget portion of 1110. In the illustratedembodiment, the Budgeting Information portion 1102 includes interactivelinks to various online blocks of instruction on the importance ofbudgeting, how the budgeting process works, and the tools needed tosuccessfully develop and adhere to a budget. In other embodiments, theBudgeting Information Portion 1102 can include text informationassociated with budgeting and/or other types of information. In stillother embodiments, the Budgeting Information portion 1102 can includelinks to online counseling and/or to an online process for making anappointment with a budgeting counselor. In selected embodiments, acomputing system and/or a representative of the rental program can tracka program participants progress and/or completion of a budgetingeducation or budget counseling (e.g., using the Program Administrationscreen discussed above with reference to FIG. 8).

The Budget portion 1110, in FIG. 11, includes an interactive budget thatallows the user to formulate a budget and track his or her performanceagainst budget projections. For example, in the illustrated embodimentthe Budget portion 1110 includes a Description portion 1120, a Projectedportion 1130, an Actual portion 1140, and a Comparison portion 1150. Inother embodiments, the Budget portion 1110 can have other portionsand/or arrangements. In FIG. 11, the Description portion 1120 allows auser to enter the description of budget items corresponding to theprojected and/or actual portions of the budget. For example, theDescription portion 1120 can include descriptions for things such asrent, paycheck, groceries, and/or the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, the Projected portion 1130 includes aDate portion 1132, a Dollars Out portion 1134, a Dollars In portion of1136, and a Balance portion 1138. Accordingly, the user can enterexpected or projected income and expenses over a period of time andproject the resulting cash flow balance at various points in time. Incertain embodiments, the Actual portion 1140 can include a Date portion1142, a Dollars Out portion 1144, a Dollars in portion 1146, and aBalance portion 1148. The Actual portion 1140, can allow a user to trackhis or her performance in adhering to the Projected portion 1130 of thebudget and/or to make adjustments to the Projected portion 1130 of thebudget when necessary. In order to aid the user in tracking his or herperformance, the Comparison portion 1150 can calculate or compare thedifference between the Balance in the Actual portion and the Projectedportion over time. In certain embodiments, this feature can allow aprogram participant to understand his or her economic circumstance, todevelop a budget projection, to make appropriate adjustments to thebudget projection when necessary, to track performance, and/or the like.Additionally, in selected embodiments participation in the budgetingprocess can aid in developing discipline, responsibility, self-esteem,and accountability. In certain embodiments, a program participant'sperformance can be monitored by an entity associated with the rentalprogram (e.g., using the Program Administration screen discussed abovewith reference to FIG. 8).

In some of the embodiments discussed above, a service managementprocess/program can establish a mutually beneficial association betweenproperty owners with vacant rental units and applicants with creditissues, legal issues, and/or the like. For example, aspects of theservice management program can provide applicants with the tools neededto be financially successful and/or provide assistance to improve theapplicant's circumstance. Additionally, because the service managementprogram provides these tools, monitoring, and/or the ability quicklyremove an applicant that does not comply with program requirements froma rental unit, property owners can reduce their risk in renting theirproperties. Accordingly, property owners may be more willing to renttheir property under a service management program to individuals havingcredit and/or legal issues that would otherwise cause the property ownerto refuse to rent to the individual. This, in turn, can lead to higheroccupancy rates for the property owners and a higher availability ofaffordable housing units for individuals having credit and/or legalissues. Additionally, in selected embodiments certain programrequirements and/or the structure provided by the service managementprogram may aid program participants to be more successful andresponsible, and thereby less likely to commit crimes.

Furthermore, in some of the embodiments discussed above a servicemanagement process can be used to aid program participants with creditrepair and/or debt consolidation. For example, in certain embodimentsprogram participants can be required to budget to repay various debts inaddition to paying rent and current expenses (e.g. rental debt, rentalloans, and/or microloans). Additionally, in some embodiments the programparticipant can be required to pay an entity associated with the servicemanagement process/rental program for services associated with theservice management process (e.g., administration expenses and/or thelike). In other embodiments, the program participant can be required tomake charitable donations (e.g., to reinforce social responsibility orto give back to organizations that have aided the individual in thepast).

In certain embodiments, the program participant can be required to makesome or all of the payments associated with his or her budget via anelectronic banking process (e.g., direct deposit). For example, theprogram participant can be required to use an electronic banking processto pay periodic rent payments, a fee for participating in the servicemanagement program (e.g., one time or periodic), periodic paymentsassociated with past debt, donations to entities from which theparticipant has received assistance (e.g., the Red Cross, communityaction agencies, or charitable organizations), and/or the like. In otherembodiments, the program participant can be required to pay an entityassociated with the service management program and the entity makes theassociate payments according to the participant's budget. For example,in selected embodiments the program participant can pay rent andperiodic debt repayments to the entity associated with the servicemanagement program, and the entity can pay the property owner andassociated debtors. In certain embodiments, an entity associate with theservice management program can aid a participant in restructuring orconsolidating debt to allow a manageable repayment plan. In selectedembodiments, if a participant can successfully repay debt and/or show ahistory of being fiscally responsible, his or her credit rating mayimprove.

In selected embodiments, a service management program can combineelements of various public, non-profit, for profit, and/or privateelements to provide assistance to those in need (e.g., those in need ofimproving their life circumstances). For example, in selectedembodiments portions of a service management program can be used as partof, or in conjunction with, a government program that provide relief tothe homeless and/or those in need (e.g., by providing housingassistance, secure environments in which to live, counseling,self-development programs, education, rehabilitation, other types ofsocial services, and/or the like). In certain embodiments, the structureof a service management program (e.g., tracking, monitoring, and/orbudgeting elements) can be used to aid in managing, tracking, and/orregulating the use of public funds associated with various governmentprograms providing these types of services to those in need (e.g.,social services providers). For example, in selected embodiments certainproperties may have to meet certain requirements in order to receivepublic funding under certain programs and/or applicants may have to meetcertain criteria to rent selected properties that receive public fundingunder certain programs. In certain embodiments, these requirements andcriterion can be an integral part of the requirements, agreements,and/or the like discussed above with reference to various embodiments(e.g., Property Owner screen, the Program Property screen, and/or theApplication screen). In other embodiments, a service management programcan combine the use of public and/or private housing (e.g., rentalproperties and/or public housing programs) with non-profit organizationprograms (e.g., programs associated with the International Crime FreeAssociation of Mesa, Arizona; charity programs; church programs; and/orthe like) to provide assistance to those in need.

In yet other embodiments, a database (e.g., a searchable database) withvarious property management program statistics or characteristics can bemaintained. For example, in certain embodimentsstatistics/characteristics can include why program participants fail andare removed from the program, which services successful participantsgenerally use, whether there is a correlation between selectedproperties and the success of program participants placed in thoseselected properties, and/or the like. In selected embodiments,information from this database can be used to determine where funds canbe spent to do the most good and/or to adjust the program. For example,in certain embodiments if program participants in a selected propertyhave a high failure rate, the selected property might be removed fromthe program.

In still other embodiments, portions of a service management systemmight be used by the courts or other portions of the legal system(within the limits of applicable law). For example, in selectedembodiments participation in a service management system could be usedas a condition of parole or probation. For example, in selectedembodiments a court might allow a drug offender to attend drugrehabilitation, perform community service, and participate in a servicemanagement program (e.g., to obtain affordable housing and insurecompliance with a budgeting process). In other embodiments,participation in a service management program could be required as acondition of a work release program and/or required in lieu oftransitional housing arrangements once a person is paroled or releasedfrom being incarcerated.

In certain embodiments, a court might allow participation in a servicemanagement program in lieu of eviction, for example, by staying theeviction process and allowing the property owner to rent to the tenantvia a property management program. In still other embodiments,participation in portions of the services management program might beapproved or mandated by a court for an individual undergoing abankruptcy proceeding. In other embodiments, a property involved in abankruptcy proceeding might be made available for rental in a servicemanagement program (e.g., with court approval and/or under courtdirection) in order to provide rental income at an acceptable level ofrisk. In still other embodiments, where an individual is found liablefor court cost, attorney fees, and other related legal cost, aparticipant might be required to repay these costs via a servicemanagement program. For example, an individual found liable for certainlegal cost in a drug related conviction resulting in mandatoryparticipation in a service management process might be required to repayselected accrued legal expenses, along with other debts, as discussedabove with reference to FIG. 11.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,”“coupled,” or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling,either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling ofconnection between the elements can be physical, logical, or acombination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,”and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall referto this application as a whole and not to any particular portions ofthis application. Where the context permits, words in the above DetailedDescription using the singular or plural number may also include theplural or singular number respectively. The word “or,” in reference to alist of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretationsof the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list,and any combination of the items in the list.

In general, the above detailed description of embodiments of theinvention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention tothe precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of, andexamples for, the invention are described above for illustrativepurposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scopeof the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.For example, while processes or blocks are presented in a given order,alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps, or employsystems having blocks, in a different order, and some processes orblocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/ormodified to provide alternative or subcombinations. Each of theseprocesses or blocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways.Also, while processes or blocks are at times shown as being performed inseries, these processes or blocks may instead be performed in parallel,or may be performed at different times.

The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to othersystems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements andacts of the various embodiments described above can be combined toprovide further embodiments. Any patents and applications and otherreferences noted above, including any that may be listed in accompanyingfiling papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of theinvention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems,functions, and concepts of the various references described above toprovide yet further embodiments of the invention.

These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of theabove Detailed Description. While the above description describescertain embodiments of the invention, and describes the best modecontemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, theinvention can be practiced in many ways. Details of the data collectionand processing system may vary considerably in its implementationdetails, while still being encompassed by the invention disclosedherein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describingcertain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken toimply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted toany specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention withwhich that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in thefollowing claims should not be construed to limit the invention to thespecific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the aboveDetailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly,the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosedembodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementingthe invention under the claims.

While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certainclaim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of theinvention in any number of claim forms. For example, a number of aspectsof the invention may be embodied in a computer-readable medium.Accordingly, the inventors reserve the right to add additional claimsafter filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms forother aspects of the invention.

1. A service management system for managing and maintaining an inventoryof real property associated with a rental program and matchingparticipants of the rental program with corresponding properties in theinventory, the system comprising: one or more data storage componentsconfigured to store an inventory of real property associated with therental program; and one or more data processing components coupled tothe one or more data storage components, the one or more data processingcomponents configured to— process requests from applicants forinformation regarding the rental program; manage and maintain theinventory of property associated with the rental program; process anapplication of an applicant to become a program participant; and match aprogram participant with one or more properties in the inventory based,at least in part, on the program participant's demographic informationand the program participant's desired geographic location.
 2. Theservice management system of claim 1 wherein the one or more dataprocessing components are further configured to— notify an applicant ofapproval or denial of the application to the rental program; and notifya program participant that the participant's enrollment in one or moreaspects of the rental program is being terminated.
 3. The servicemanagement system of claim 1 wherein the one or more data processingcomponents are further configured to— notify a property owner that aselected property has been enrolled in the inventory; and notify aproperty owner that a selected property has been rented by a programparticipant of the rental program.
 4. The service management system ofclaim 1 wherein the one or more data processing components are furtherconfigured to process rent payments from program participants andtransfer the payments to the corresponding property owner.
 5. Theservice management system of claim 1 wherein the inventory of realproperty includes an inventory of individual housing units available forrent by a program participant, and wherein the individual housing unitsinclude at least one of apartments, single family homes, multifamilyhomes, mobile homes, and townhomes.
 6. The service management system ofclaim 1 wherein the inventory of real property includes an inventory ofindividual apartment units available for rent by a program participant,and wherein the number of individual apartment units in an apartmentcomplex that are available for a program participant constitutes apercentage less than 100 percent of the overall number of units in theapartment complex.
 7. The service management system of claim 1 whereinthe inventory of real property includes an inventory of individualhousing units controlled by one or more property owners and availablefor rent by program participants, and wherein the rental program isconfigured to function as an intermediary between the property owner andprogram participants for matters related to the rental and occupancy ofa particular housing unit by a particular program participant.
 8. Theservice management system of claim 1 wherein the inventory of realproperty includes an inventory of apartment units in selected apartmentcomplexes that are available for rent by a program participant, andwherein the one or more data processing components are furtherconfigured to: calculate a percentage of the unoccupied apartment unitsin a selected apartment complex that are available for programparticipants; and rank the individual apartment units in the inventorybased, at least in part, on the percentage of unoccupied apartment unitsin the particular apartment complex in which the individual apartmentunit is located.
 9. The service management system of claim 1 wherein theone or more data processing components are further configured to processrequests from applicants for (a) general information and guidelinesregarding the rental program, (b) vacancy information from the inventoryof property associated with the rental program, and (c) applicationinformation for the rental program.
 10. The service management system ofclaim 1 wherein the one or more data processing components are furtherconfigured to— process an application of a property owner to make one ormore individual housing units available for use by participants of therental program; and upon approval of the application of the propertyowner, enroll the one or more housing units of the property owner intothe inventory.
 11. A computer-implemented method for managing a rentalprogram, the method comprising: storing and managing an inventory ofreal property associated with the rental program; receiving a requestfrom an applicant to become a participant in the rental program; inresponse to receiving the request, processing an application of theapplicant to become a participant in the rental program; and uponapproval of the application, matching the program participant with oneor more properties in the inventory based, at least in part, on theprogram participant's demographic information and the programparticipant's desired geographic location.
 12. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 11 wherein storing and maintaining an inventory of realproperty comprises: registering in a data table multiple housing unitsfor use with the rental program, wherein the housing units include atleast one of apartments, single family homes, multifamily homes, mobilehomes, and townhomes; and storing in the data table one or moreattributes of each housing unit, wherein the attributes include at leastone of a name of an apartment complex or neighborhood in which thehousing unit is located, an address of the housing unit, a rental amountfor the housing unit, amenities of the housing unit, and requirementsthat use of the housing unit in the rental program are predicated on.13. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, further comprisingrequiring program participants to meet one or more selected programrequirements during a selected period of time, and wherein the programrequirements include at least one of— making periodic rental payments;maintaining employment; remaining drug and/or alcohol free; attending orcompleting selected training programs; preparing and using a budget;agreeing to an immediate dispossession of a housing unit as a result ofnon-compliance with certain program requirements; and agreeing tovarious tracking and/or monitoring processes.
 14. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 13, further comprising terminatingparticipation of a program participant in the rental program if theprogram participant fails to satisfy one or more program requirements.15. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, further comprisingperiodically reporting rent payment history of program participants toone or more credit bureaus.
 16. The computer-implemented method of claim11, further comprising periodically reporting lending payment history ofprogram participants to one or more credit bureaus, wherein the lendingpayment history is associated with one or more debts independent to andseparate from the rental payments of the program participants.
 17. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 11 processing an application of theapplicant to become a participant in the rental program includes atleast one of a background check, a personal interview, a credit check,and confirmation of one or more personal identifiers of the applicant.18. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, further comprisingproviding to an applicant advertising regarding products and/or servicesassociated with one or more aspects of the rental program.
 19. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 11 wherein receiving a request froman applicant to become a participant in the rental program includesreceiving an electronic request from a remote computer via a computernetwork.
 20. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 wherein theinventory of real property includes an inventory of individual housingunits in a number of different geographic areas available for rent by aprogram participant, and wherein: matching the program participant withone or more properties in the inventory is further based, at least inpart, on a percentage of unoccupied housing units in a particulargeographic area.
 21. The computer-implemented method of claim 20 whereinthe program participant is a first program participant, and wherein themethod further comprises matching multiple other program participantswith properties in the inventory based, at least in part, on thepercentage of unoccupied housing units in particular geographic areassuch that the multiple program participants are dispersed throughoutmultiple geographic areas in a selected distribution.
 22. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 11 wherein storing and maintainingan inventory of real property associated with the rental programcomprises storing a first set of housing units identified for use by afirst group of program participants belonging to a first demographicgroup, and a second set of housing units identified for use by a secondgroup of program participants belonging to a second demographic groupdifferent than the first demographic group.
 23. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 11, further comprising providing at least one ofeducational services and debt counseling services to programparticipants.
 24. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, furthercomprising an individual or entity associated with the rental programentering into a rental agreement with an owner of the matched propertyon behalf of the program participant.
 25. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 11, further comprising: receiving and processing anapplication of a property owner to make one or more individual housingunits available for use by participants of the rental program; and uponapproval of the application of the property owner, enrolling the one ormore housing units of the property owner into the inventory.
 26. One ormore computer-readable media collectively storing computer-executableinstructions that, when executed, perform a method for managing a rentalprogram for low income individuals and families, the method comprising:managing an inventory of individual housing units associated with therental program; processing an application of an applicant to become aparticipant in the rental program; and upon approval of the application,matching the program participant with a housing unit in the inventorybased, at least in part, on selected demographic information of theindividual program participant, a desired geographic area in which theprogram participant would like to live, and a desired disbursement ofmultiple program participants in a selected geographic area.
 27. Asystem for providing housing services to families and individuals, thesystem comprising: means for storing and managing an inventory ofindividual housing units available for use with the rental program;means for receiving a request from an applicant to become a participantin the rental program; means for processing an application of theapplicant to become a rental program participant; and means for linkingindividual program participants with a housing unit in the inventorybased, at least in part, on a desired distribution of multiple programparticipants in a selected geographic area, demographic criteriaassociated with the individual program participant, and a desiredgeographic area in which the individual program participant would liketo live.
 28. The system of claim 27, further comprising: means forreceiving and processing rental payments from individual programparticipants; and means for transferring rental payments to propertyowners of the corresponding housing units on behalf of the respectiveprogram participants.
 29. A computer-implemented method for providinghousing to low income individuals, the method comprising: receiving arequest from an individual for rental of a selected housing unitassociated with the rental program; in response to the request, rentingthe selected housing unit for a selected rental period on behalf of theindividual; monitoring the individual's compliance with multiple rentalprogram requirements during the selected rental period, wherein therental program requirements include at least two of the following—making periodic rental payments for the selected housing unit;maintaining employment; remaining drug and/or alcohol free; attending orcompleting selected training programs; preparing and using a budget;agreeing to an immediate dispossession of the housing unit as a resultof non-compliance with certain program requirements; and agreeing tovarious tracking and/or monitoring processes; and if the individualfails to satisfy one or more rental program requirements, terminatingthe individual's rental agreement for the selected housing unit.
 30. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 29, further comprising terminatingthe individual's participation in the rental program if the individualfails to satisfy one or more rental program requirements.